Hilltop Ski Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hilltop Ski Area |
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 Hilltop Ski Area
Location in Anchorage
Hilltop Ski Area
Location in Alaska
Hilltop Ski Area
Location in North America
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| Location | Anchorage, Alaska, US |
| Coordinates | 61°08′27″N 149°44′42″W / 61.14083°N 149.74500°W |
| Vertical | 294 ft (90 m) |
| Skiable area | 30 acres (120,000 m2) |
| Runs | 5 or 6 |
| Longest run | 2090 ft (630 m) |
| Lift system | 1 chair, 1 rope tow, 1 platter lift |
| Website | Hilltop Ski Area |
Hilltop Ski Area is a super fun place to ski and snowboard in Anchorage, Alaska. It opened in 1984 and is a great spot for winter sports!
You can find Hilltop Ski Area in Far North Bicentennial Park, close to Chugach State Park. It sits right at the bottom of the amazing Chugach Mountains. A group called Youth Exploring Adventure, Inc. runs the ski area. This group is a nonprofit organization, which means they use their money to help the community, especially by offering cool programs for young people in Anchorage.
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What You'll Find at Hilltop Ski Area
Hilltop Ski Area has everything you need for a day on the slopes. It has a triple chairlift, which is like a moving bench that takes you up the mountain. There's also a rope tow and a platter lift for beginners.
Skiing and Snowboarding Trails
The ski area has about 30 acres (120,000 m²) of groomed trails. Most of these trails (80%) are easy, perfect for learning or just cruising. Some trails (10%) are a bit more challenging, and a few (10%) are for expert skiers and snowboarders.
Other Cool Spots Nearby
Right next to Hilltop, you'll find the Karl Eid Ski Jump Complex. This place has three different ski jumps, which are 15, 40, and 60 meters tall! They even have lights for jumping at night.
If you love cross-country skiing, there are also many trails nearby. Hillside Park has 7.5 miles (12 km) of trails, and Bicentennial Park offers 20 miles (32 km) of trails for Nordic skiing.
Awesome Programs and Lessons
Hilltop Ski Area offers lots of ways to learn and improve your skills.
Ski and Snowboard School
The ski school has lessons for everyone, no matter your age or how much experience you have. You can take group lessons with friends or private lessons for one-on-one help. They teach both skiing and snowboarding.
Special Programs for Kids and Teens
- Hot Dogger Program: This is an after-school program for kids aged 6 to 14. It's a great way to have fun and learn after school.
- Alpine Alternatives: This program helps people with disabilities learn how to ski. Everyone deserves to enjoy the snow!
- Hilltop Alpine Racing Team (HART): If you're between 6 and 19 and love to race, this team offers special training to help you become a faster skier.
The instructors at Hilltop are part of the Professional Ski Instructors of America, so you know you're getting top-notch teaching.
Camps During School Breaks
Hilltop also hosts ski and snowboard camps when school is out. These camps happen during Anchorage School District in-service days (when teachers have training), over the December holiday season, and during spring break. It's a perfect way to spend your time off!
Hilltop Ski Area's History
The story of Hilltop Ski Area began a long time ago.
Early Beginnings
In the 1950s, a nonprofit group called Hilltop Youth, Inc. started in Anchorage. Their goal was to create fun and educational activities for young people. In 1962, they set up a rope tow in a gravel pit. This early rope tow was powered by an old military truck engine!
Moving to a New Location
The rope tow moved in 1967 to a new spot near Abbott Road and Hillside Drive. In the early 1980s, a small 10-meter ski jump was built there too, designed by a person named Karl Eid. This first Hilltop Ski Area operated from 1967 until 1983.
The Current Hilltop Ski Area
In 1984, Hilltop Ski Area moved to its current location, which is about half a mile north of the old site. Since then, Youth Exploring Adventure, Inc. has been running the ski area, making sure it's a great place for everyone to enjoy winter sports. Some of the original equipment, like the rope tow engine, is still used on the beginners' slope today!
